Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, and Asymmetric Information: Evidence From Jordan

Abstract

By giving investors clear and thorough information to assist them in making decisions, disclosures about CSR lessen asymmetric information. Even while some analysts may minimize CSR information, it is becoming increasingly significant in developing nations with low levels of openness, such as Jordan. Information on CSR is essential for lowering hazard and fostering confidence in firm governance as socially conscious investment grows. The necessity of harmonizing stakeholder and manager interests is highlighted by the fact that asymmetric information, in which one side possesses a greater understanding than the other, may result in inconsistencies and possibly market failures. The research aimed to examine the moderating effect of corporate governance by employing concentrated ownership and board structure and activities in the relation between corporate social responsibility and asymmetric information. To achieve the aim of this research, the data were collected from the annual reports of the companies which were published on the Amman Stock Exchange website for the years 2013 to 2023. This research finds that the disclosure of corporate social responsibility has a negative effect on information asymmetry, and this shows that corporate social responsibility disclosure decreases the level of information asymmetry. Furthermore, the results show that specific concentrated ownership and board structure and activities moderate the association between the disclosure of corporate social responsibility and information asymmetry by affecting the disclosure of information as well as how investors perceive it. More precisely, the bid-ask spread is negatively impacted by the independence of the board, duality of CEO, and size of the board. These results reflect the important effect of the moderator factors in reducing asymmetric information and improving the relationship of CSR with regard to asymmetric information. Information asymmetry and CSR disclosure are positively correlated when the independence of the board moderates. Finally, the study's findings have both theoretical and practical implications. For example, CSR could be used by management to identify and employ the finest individuals and strengthen ties among management acting as agents for different shareholders and blockholders acting as principals.